Ebay Is Really Getting A Bit Ridiculous

For those who think the Swastika is exclusive to 'Hitler's Germany', you're in for a surprise.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swastika

/On topic

Those who ignore their history, are doomed to repeat it. I sure hope ebay doesn't think that they need to censor something like this.

I've long been a collector of Good Luck tokens & medals. Indeed, I've most prized those that display good luck symbols, like a wishbone, a four leaf clover and yes, even the swastika!

Take a look at this example from the 1933 World's Fair. Note that it's not of German or Nazi origin. It's from the good old U.S.A.:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-193...t_727wt_1094

Among my favorite swastika medals is one that advertises Excelsior Shoes. It features a Boy Scout, mounted on horseback. Apparently, the shoes were marketed to the scouts. I've even seen early Boy Scout books that had a swastika on the cover. It was among the ancient and native American symbols that the organization studied.

There were even a number of Jewish merchants who issued swastika advertising tokens/medals in the early decades of the last century; this, at a time when Hitler was rising to power.

IMHO, we must look at, remember and study history, lest we be destined to relive it. The ridiculous censure of images on currency is a prime example of jumping overboard in order to appear to be politically correct. Certainly, such maneuvers play into the hands of those who claim that the Holocaust is a myth, never happened.

To those who approve of the censure of the swastika, Hitler and related Nazi items, I'd humbly ask you, why not consider this? Also, censure any forums, wherein such topics might be openly aired and discussed; this, including our CCF. Then, burn the records, the books ... That's what Hitler would do, eh what?

Folks -- remember that ebay is multinational. There are countries in Europe that outright ban any and all Nazi relics, including coinages. I believe ebay's policy is a good-faith attempt to find a middle-ground to address the legal variances in different countries.

As per swasticas pre-dating the Nazi era, they are not subject to ebay restrictions. Indeed, many tokens were struck in the early 20th century which featured the symbol.

Allowed
Stamps, letters, and envelopes displaying Nazi postmarks
Currency issued by the Nazi German government, including military scripts
Items that have a swastika that are not related to Nazi Germany (such as good luck charms, Native American blankets, Buddhist sculptures)
Replica or novelty stamps or currency of Nazi Germany (must comply with the currency and stamp policies) even if they contain images of swastikas or German leaders.

funny I thought fakes - replicas couldnt be sold.

and what about all the other countries that have committed atrocities to other nations? there are a few of em, are all the items they used etc to be banned?
and not wanting to upset anyone, but some of the pics with captions of the most recent conflicts, or some of the things some are accused of are just as bad. or is it ok to be like that if you think your in the right?
not wanting to argue this, just my thoughts on what could be double standards.

Except that their "good-faith attempt" does not actually work as far as I can tell. Fortunately much of what ebay apparently bans can be had from dealers around here (France, Germany, Netherlands) ...

Christian

Sure. I was merely trying to point out that ebay's rules are ebay's rules, not anybody else's. I remember that, a while ago, I asked a German seller at ma-shops.de why he would cut the swastika out of his images. Well, he replied that he uses some of those images at ebay too, and ebay requires him to do that ...

Christian

Please note that I used the past tense. :) I don't use ebay any more, and my coins I buy elsewhere. My question, and the ma-shops seller's answer, about this were a while ago; I just found it strange then that in some images he would "cut the swastika out" while in others he would not, that is why I asked him. What ebay allows these days, and what it won't allow, with regard to such "markings", is ebay's business.

Christian

Ebays policies are a complete joke. I read their policy on offensive material and it took me less than 30 seconds to find dozens of listings that are far more offensive than swastikas (for example I typed "islamic jewellry sword" and found at least 10 listings for them, with the Arabic death threat to kill all infidels clearly legible). Perhaps the censors at ebay cannot be bothered to read Arabic inscriptions but its the vile sort of stuff that is still recited when victims have their throats slit by Al qaeda types.
Also had no trouble finding listings for vintage etc.